Travel Updates

Big Sur is Open!

The new Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge has reopened allowing visitors more convenient car access to experience Big Sur and iconic Highway 1

The breathtaking beauty of Big Sur and the Central Coast beckons you with unparalleled natural scenery. Many scenic attractions and friendly businesses are open and ready to welcome you!

What does the bridge opening mean for travelers?

Visitors traveling on Highway 1 from the Monterey Peninsula can now go as far south as Gorda in southern Big Sur. Hotels, restaurants, shops and parks invite you to experience the authentic Big Sur charm!

However, visitors are unable to travel to Cambria via Highway 1 from the Monterey Peninsula due to the Mud Creek slide. CalTrans expects to have this portion of the highway open in late-summer 2018. Visit the CalTrans website for the latest road closure information.

How can I travel from Big Sur to Southern California?

Visitors from Northern California and the Monterey Peninsula can take Highway 1 south to Gorda in southern Big Sur. At that point, visitors will need to turn around to take Highway 1 north to Highway 68 where they will be able to access Highway 101 to drive south toward Los Angeles.

How can I travel from Southern California to the Monterey Peninsula?

Visitors from Southern California can access Monterey County via Highway 101 through Salinas Valley. Below are few great things to see and do on the Highway 101 detour:

• National Steinbeck Center in Salinas
• Steinbeck House in Salinas
• Monterey Zoo in Salinas
• Pinnacles National Park in Salinas Valley
• San Antonio Mission in Jolon
• Wine Tasting Rooms in Salinas Valley

For more details, please see the map and road closures below.

Travel Tips

Helpful travel planning documents:

• Exploring Big Sur from Monterey
• Treat Big Sur with Care: Do's and Dont's
• Highway One Updates
• Park Updates

Park Conditions

Please note the current conditions for Monterey County Parks:

• Garrapata State Park: Partially Open
  • Lands west of Highway 1 are open
  • The Soberanes Canyon Trail on the east is open as of April 2018
• Point Sur Light Station Historic State Park: Open
• Limekiln State Park: Open
• Sand Dollar Beach: Open
• Andrew Molera State Park: Partially Open
  • Beach access is available via the Creamery Meadow Trail
  • Trails that are open to the public include: Bobcat, Panorama, Bluff, Spring, and Ridge Loop
• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park: Partially Open
  • Areas open to the public include: McWay Falls Overlook Trail (partially open), Partington Cove trails and parking/picnic area
• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Partially Open
  • Open for camping and day use
  • Trails that are open to the public include: Pfeiffer Canyon Trail, Redwood Deck, Nature Trail, River Trail, Warden’s Cottage Trail, Liewald Flat Trail

For more information and updates on current conditions, please call the California State Parks Big Sur Sector Office at (831) 667-1112 or the Big Sur Station at (831) 667-2315. Check the CalTrans website for up-to-date road conditions on Highway 1.

If you are in the area and have any questions on the closures, please visit our Monterey Visitors Center at Lake El Estero Park (401 Camino El Estero, Monterey, CA).